40's Oahu with Supro pickup problem

Brian Fee · Post by **Brian Fee** » 9 Jan 2012 10:39 am

I have a late 40's Oahu lap steel with the Supro pickup and am trying to diagnose an issue. I've read some threads here, got some insight, but still have questions.

First off, one of the magnets is nice and strong. The other is pretty weak, although it still has some charge. When the two magnets repel each other while facing each other, the sound is strong on the outer 4 strings, but terribly weak on the 2 inner strings. When the magnets are installed so that they attract each other while facing each other, the sound is loud and strong on the side with the stronger magnet and tapers to very quite across the strings.

Would I be correct in assuming I just need the magnets recharged and balanced? If so, I'm unsure Jason Lollar will be willing to do this as his website states they are currently not doing repairs. Are there any other pickup builders that you'd recommend for this should Jason not work out?

Next question is pretty vague, but I can't seem to find any info or history on Oahu steels. -I can assume they were made by Supro and was told by the seller that mine is from 1949, but I can't find any real info about Oahu. Anyone have a link or educational info about this company?

thanks,
Brian

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 9 Jan 2012 11:09 am

The magnets must be set with "like poles" facing up ... doesn't matter if both are "N" or "S" ... as long as they are repelling.

Remagging isn't a problem ... but they were low quality material to begin with ... Pretty weak even when saturated.

Jason Lollar is making new units with nice new magnets ... I'd give him a holler to see if he'd sell you a pair.

If not ... I'll remag them for you ... no biggie.

PS: I made some super strong ones a few years back and called them NIBros ...

Once it warms up (my wife has moved all my stuff to a little shed outside ... and it's cold out there) ... I was gonna make new molds and make some more.

Brian Fee · Post by **Brian Fee** » 9 Jan 2012 1:15 pm

thanks Rick. Jason has offered to sell me a set of his higher quality magnets or recharge my old ones. I think I'll go with his new magnets.

Michael Lee Allen · Post by **Michael Lee Allen** » 9 Jan 2012 5:36 pm

Deleted

Brian Fee · Post by **Brian Fee** » 9 Jan 2012 6:01 pm

Thanks Michael, I've have since found them. LOTS of stuff there.